1
as in to lash
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
Grandpa told us that when he was a kid, if he misbehaved at all, his father would tan his backside with a belt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
a time when children were routinely tanned for misbehavior
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tan
If carefully tanned, well made, and properly cared for, a real fur hat or coat should last for decades.
—
Skye Goode, Outdoor Life, 29 Jan. 2026
This is a gradual self-tanning lotion that helps reduce the appearance of cellulite with ingredients such as collagen, elastin and caffeine from green tea.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Senators captain Brady Tkachuk — still tanned after returning from summer break — addressed the media to discuss the season ahead and eventually offered his two cents on changing NHL fashion.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
That hide is shipped overseas, usually to Asia, to be tanned into leather.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Skye Goode, Outdoor Life, 29 Jan. 2026
This is a gradual self-tanning lotion that helps reduce the appearance of cellulite with ingredients such as collagen, elastin and caffeine from green tea.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Senators captain Brady Tkachuk — still tanned after returning from summer break — addressed the media to discuss the season ahead and eventually offered his two cents on changing NHL fashion.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
That hide is shipped overseas, usually to Asia, to be tanned into leather.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tan
Verb
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In response to the mothering of a sister, a brother has options—resist, lash out, put up with it, become utterly dependent on it.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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Many Banksy fans mourned the loss of the mystery and lashed out at the news outlet.—
Laurie Kellman,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The department shared photos of Ziggy, still wearing a bandage on his left hind leg, jumping up and licking Spring's face during a recent visit.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
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Seals off The San Diego Seals (6-8) are off this weekend and licking their wounds following a crushing 9-8 home loss to Buffalo on Saturday.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And while public opinion was being whipped, a legal strategy kicked off behind the bench.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
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This means that your desire to whip things in shape at home or with a family member might be ill-timed.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Justin Cappos, a professor of computer science at New York University, who studies software supply-chain security, likens the attack to a typewriter hiding a second message in plain sight.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
21 Mar. 2026
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As a main guideline, think about ribcage jeans as an opportunity to actually showcase your waist rather than hiding it.—
Dino BonaÄić,
Glamour,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Inside, the home features 10-foot coffered ceilings, white oak floors, and a kitchen with a La Cornue range and light leathered marble countertops.—
BusinessDen,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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The texture play looks cool and intentional, like an all-black outfit that layers leather with silk.—
Samantha Brash,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Earlier, heavy snow pounded the Northeast and Nebraska saw its worst wildfires ever.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Everybody is pounding their chest about the Lakers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Not so much because Paul puts on-again, off-again partner Dakota Mortensen into a headlock and then pelts him with metal bar stools — sadly, this is a scene that would not be out of place on many reality shows — but because a small child is in the room.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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Dallas pelted Gustavsson during the man advantage, but Minnesota got a high-danger scoring chance as well, only to see Oettinger stuff Nico Sturm on a shorthanded rush to the net.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tuesday, however, Epic Games slashed about 20 percent of its staff, more than 1,000 jobs, citing problems with its flagship Fortnite franchise … the same franchise that Disney’s Epic Games deal is connected to.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Mar. 2026
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Such an outcome could slash oil prices, flooding the market with supply currently choked by military threats in the Strait of Hormuz.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tan. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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